260 Chemical Powers of Ammoniacal Salts. 



sed salt, the action will prove too violent and unmanageable ; whereas, 

 when contact is not constantly maintained, there is a strong tendency 

 towards a vacuum in the retort, which would endanger its safety. By 

 the process, here recommended, there is no liability to accident, and 

 the quantity of nitrogen may be easily regulated by raising or lower- 

 ing the zinc. Every grain of the metal furnishes nearly a cubic inch 

 of the gas, while the ammonia, which also escapes, becomes wholly 

 condensed as soon as it enters into the water of the pneumatic cistern. 



When I first ascertained that the gaseous product of this decom- 

 position was nitrogen, I concluded that the zinc, together with the 

 hydrogen of the ammonia, abstracted all the oxj^gen from the nitrate 

 so as to leave nothing but nitrogen gas ; were this the case, however, 

 1 grain of metal should liberate 1.38 c. inches, which is a greater 

 amount than was actually obtained. Lead may be substituted for 

 zinc, although not with advantage, as a considerable quantity of ni- 

 trous acid makes its appearance. The nitrogen, also, is generated 

 much more slowly and in smaller quantity. 



Fearing that my communication has already passed beyond its 

 proper limits, I shall refrain from offering any further remarks, but 

 conclude with the hope, that this novel and interesting view of the 

 ammoniacal salts, may soon engage the attention of persons better 

 able to extend and improve It. 



Bromine and Iodine in Kenawha waters, Va. 



Extract of a letter from Prof. J. Emmet to the Editor, dated University of Virginiaj 



April 20th, 1830. 



Dear Sir. — I perceive, by your last number, that Mr. Hayes and 

 yourself have discovered bromine, in the waters of Saratoga and the 

 brine of Salina. It gives me pleasure to be able to add another ex- 

 ample of its occurrence. I have lately been able to obtain it in 

 considerable quantities from the bittern and natural brine from Ken- 

 awha county in this state. Iodine is also present in small quantity. 

 The bittern is remarkable for the large proportion of lime which it 

 contains united with muriatic acid, and, as I have reason to suspect, 

 with hydro-bromic acid. Even the salt prep fired for sale, becomes 

 yellow by exposure to chlorine or nitric acid, and thus indicates the 

 existence of this singular element. Strong ethereal solutions have 

 been prepared both from the salt and bittern. Indeed, so far as I can 

 at present judge, (the samples having been nearly exhausted by a 

 general analysis,) the bromine exists in the Kenawha bittern in suffi- 

 cient abundance to admit of being prepared for sale. 



